About Us

Officers and Board of Directors

John E. Dalby

President/Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Dalby is a graduate of Northwest Christian University/University of Oregon where he received his Bachelor of Science/Business Administration Finance Degree in 1982. After graduating he began his more than 30 year career in banking in 1983, 10 of which was with Humboldt Bank in Eureka. Mr. Dalby left Humboldt Bank in 2002 to join a group of local individuals in an effort to bring community banking back to Humboldt County.

Throughout his career Mr. Dalby has been active in the communities he lived in, serving on boards and committees of numerous service organizations including: the St. Joseph Hospital Board of Trustees, Eureka Chamber of Commerce, Ingomar Club, Redwood Region Economic Development Commission, Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, City of Eureka Housing Advisory Board, The Salvation Army, American Cancer Society and the Christian Youth Fund. Mr. Dalby and his wife Susan reside in Eureka and have two children.

Tammy Brown

Senior Vice President/Chief Credit Officer

Tammy Brown was raised in Humboldt County. She brings with her 28 years of banking and lending experience, as well as a deeply-rooted knowledge of Humboldt County and its business culture. Ms. Brown is a 2014 graduate of the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, Washington. Ms. Brown is a true believer in community banking and the importance of working with local people who are invested in our hometown economy.

Ms. Brown has been involved with Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for more than a decade, serving in a variety of capacities at the Board level and as a volunteer for special projects and events including their annual CASA Kid Walk. She and her husband Ron reside in Fortuna and have two children.

Renee Byers

Vice President/Interim Chief Financial Officer

Renee Byers was raised in Humboldt County. She has 25 years of banking experience, including the areas of Customer Service, Back Office Support, Human Resources and Controller. Ms. Byers previously served as Redwood Capital Bank’s VP/Controller since 2008. Currently, Ms. Byers is a Class of 2018 member of the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School.

Ms. Byers was a long-time volunteer with the Harbor Lanes Youth Bowlers and is an active volunteer with Redwood Empire Little League. She currently serves as a Commissioner with the Housing Authority of the City of Eureka.

She and her husband reside in Eureka and have two children.

Jennifer Budwig

Senior Vice President/Chief Lending Officer

Humboldt County native Jennifer Budwig is a graduate of Humboldt State University. She earned her degree in Business Management in 1989. Additionally, Ms. Budwig is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School, graduating in 2011 in the top 10% of her class. She is the Chief Lending Officer for Redwood Capital Bank, bringing with her over 25 years of banking experience.

Michael McCoy

Senior Vice President/Risk Manager

Michael McCoy was born in Texas and raised in Utah. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Utah and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from University of San Diego. Dr. McCoy received his PhD in Chinese Studies from the University of Utah. Since 2006, Michael has worked at Redwood Capital Bank as the Risk Manager.

Michael served in the United States Marine Corps from 1978-1984. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Oklahoma and San Diego. Michael and his wife Sherry reside in McKinleyville and have one child.

Dave Tierney

Senior Vice President/IT Director

Eureka native David Tierney is a graduate of the University of Idaho. He earned his degree in Journalism in 1994. Dave began working in the field of Internet Technology in 1995. Dave has been Redwood Capital Bank’s IT Director since 2006.

Mr. Tierney coached youth sports for many years and served as a Director for the Redwood Youth Football League. Dave and his wife Kristin reside in Eureka and have five children.

Russell N. Britt

Mr. Britt was born and raised in Eureka, California, going through the Eureka school system and graduating from Eureka High School. Mr. Britt obtained his Business Degree from College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University. Mr. Britt and his brother founded Britt Lumber Company over 50 years ago and eventually sold the company to Maxxam Corporation in 1990. Mr. Britt continued to work at Britt Lumber as the company’s President until his retirement in 2008.

Additionally, Mr. Britt is in the cattle business and owns his own ranch in Humboldt County between Korbel and Maple Creek. He also raises grain at his ranch in Tulelake, California. Mr. Britt served as President of the California Redwood Association and is a Past President of the Ingomar Club. Mr. Britt and his wife Pam reside in Eureka and have two children.

John E. Dalby

President/Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Dalby is a graduate of Northwest Christian University/University of Oregon where he received his Bachelor of Science/Business Administration Finance Degree in 1982. After graduating he began his more than 30 year career in banking in 1983, 10 of which was with Humboldt Bank in Eureka. Mr. Dalby left Humboldt Bank in 2002 to join a group of local individuals in an effort to bring community banking back to Humboldt County.

Throughout his career Mr. Dalby has been active in the communities he lived in, serving on boards and committees of numerous service organizations including: the St. Joseph Hospital Board of Trustees, Eureka Chamber of Commerce, Ingomar Club, Redwood Region Economic Development Commission, Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, City of Eureka Housing Advisory Board, The Salvation Army, American Cancer Society and the Christian Youth Fund. Mr. Dalby and his wife Susan reside in Eureka and have two children.

Larry A. DeBeni

Mr. DeBeni is a graduate of Eureka High School and received an Associate Arts Degree from College of the Redwoods. He has served as the CEO, Secretary and Treasurer of Coastal Care Centers, Inc. since 1989. Mr. DeBeni is a commercial real estate developer and investor. He has developed and constructed several U.S. Government and commercial projects throughout Humboldt County. These projects have created economic growth and stability and have enhanced the local community. Additionally, he is co-owner of Living Styles Fine Furniture in Eureka, California.

Mr. DeBeni’s civic involvement includes: Board of Directors at Baywood Golf and Country Club and local youth and collegiate athletics. He and his wife Lisa reside in Bayside and have two children.

John J. Gierek, Jr.

Chairman

Mr. Gierek received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He was a Personal Banking Manager with Texas Commerce Bank in Austin, Texas from 1984 until 1989. Mr. Gierek has been the President of Humboldt Moving & Storage Co., Inc. in Eureka, California since 1989.

Mr. Gierek’s civic involvement includes: Rotary Club of Eureka, Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and Board of Trustees and St. Bernard High School. Additionally, Mr. Gierek served one year as a Director for Six Rivers Bank in Eureka, California. He and his wife Heather reside in Eureka and have five children.

J. William McAuley

Vice Chairman

Mr. McAuley graduated with honors from Humboldt State University in 1983 where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Partner in the firm Demello, McAuley, McReynolds & Holland, LLP, Certified Public Accountants in Eureka, California. Mr. McAuley is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Mr. McAuley’s civic involvement includes: board participation with the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Eureka, Rotary International District 5130, the Northern California Community Blood Bank, Humboldt Youth Soccer League and a number of other coaching and faith-based activities. Mr. McAuley and his wife Cynthia reside in Eureka and have two children.

W. Timothy Needham

Humboldt County native, W. Timothy Needham graduated magna cum laude from Humboldt State University in 1977. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Davis in 1980, where he was a member of the Law Review. Mr. Needham joined the Janssen Law Firm in Eureka, California in 1981, following service as a law clerk to the Alaska courts. He served as a member of the Judicial Council Committee on Uniform Local Rules and is a member of the State Bar of California and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Central Districts of California. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Mr. Needham’s civic involvement includes: past president of the Humboldt County Bar Association, director of KEET Public Television and director of Consumer Attorneys of California. In 2010, Mr. Needham was selected for the California Lawyer of the Year Award for 2010 by California Lawyer magazine. In 2011 he was one of six California lawyers to be named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Public Justice Foundation. Mr. Needham and his wife Susan reside in Trinidad and have two children.

K. Jeff Nelson

Mr. Nelson is a graduate of Stanford University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1977. He is a registered professional engineer with SHN Consulting Engineers and Geologists in Eureka, California. Mr. Nelson joined the firm in 1979 and has served as CEO since 2001. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Mr. Nelson’s community involvement has included the Rotary Club of Fortuna Sunrise, Past President, serving on the Boards of St. Joseph and Redwood Memorial Hospitals, Humboldt County Workforce Development Board, Fortuna Union High School, and Humboldt County Office of Education. Mr. Nelson is a fifth generation resident of Humboldt County. He and his wife Sherry reside in Fortuna and have one daughter.

James R. Seiler

Mr. Seiler graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1963 with a Degree in Dairy Manufacturing. He spent nine years in various assignments with Foremost Foods. In 1972, Mr. Seiler began managing a small Shell Oil wholesale business in Fortuna, California. Mr. Seiler became Vice President and General Manager in 1974. This company became Humboldt Petroleum, Inc. which owned and operated retail gasoline/convenience stores throughout Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. The company was sold in 2005. Mr. Seiler continues to be involved in the petroleum industry as a partner in TBS Petroleum, LLC and as a committee member in the California Independent Oil Marketers Association.

Mr. Seiler is a member of the Fortuna Rotary Club, Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club. Mr. Seiler and his wife, Nadine, reside in Fortuna and have two children.

Steven M. Strombeck

Mr. Strombeck attended Humboldt State University for two years then transferred to Sacramento State University, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management. He obtained his Contractors License in 1982 and has worked since that time as a developer/contractor. Mr. Strombeck is a licensed contractor and is the President of Strombeck Construction and owner of Strombeck Properties.

Mr. Strombeck currently serves on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and was appointed by the mayor to sit on the Board of Appeals for the City of Eureka where he has served for the past 10 years. Mr. Strombeck is active in his church and is currently the Chairman of the Board for Redwood Teen Challenge located in Eureka. Mr. Strombeck and his wife Tina reside in Eureka and have four children.